Weather Forecast

Holyoke City Council members briefly discussed the future of the Mini Park located on the southeast corner of the stoplight intersection during their Tuesday, Sept. 17 meeting.

Renovations to the park will include the removal of trees and all concrete, excluding the ramps and elevation area. New fencing, pillars, a roof and a dormer will be constructed as well.

At Tuesday’s meeting, City Superintendent Mark Brown presented the council with an early estimate of the project costs. The council then voted to spend up to $20,000 in 2013 for the project that Brown estimates could cost over $42,000.

Before winter hits, the gazebo and trees may be removed, but no date has been set for when work will begin.

The $20,000 will be used to purchase material for the Mini Park. A steel support structure will be purchased and housed inside for the winter to prevent rusting. Painting and welding of the structure could possibly begin over the winter.

Weather-permitting, Brown anticipates the project being completed in the spring of 2014.

Officials report

Brown reported that street crews are still working on street patching when the weather allows and storm drains are being cleared from recent rain showers.

Holyoke Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that from Aug. 29-Sept. 11, the department received 57 calls for service, issued one citation, wrote three reports and gave out 13 warnings. HPD has also been assisting other agencies.

City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson noted that the city had received $25,695.14 from the state as part of the severance tax distribution, $1,053.30 from the federal mineral release distribution and $6,655.15 more for the third-quarter conservation trust fund distribution.

Olofson also informed council members that the Phillips County commissioners will be attending the Tuesday, Oct. 1 council meeting to discuss issues related to forming the 51st state.

Other business

In other business Sept. 17, the council:

—accepted the property/casualty renewal premium quote from CIRSA for 2014 at $59,388 after the member equity credit has been applied, with a $2,500 deductible per incident.

—accepted the workers compensation renewal premium quote from CIRSA for 2014 at $48,693 after the member equity credit has been applied, with a $500 deductible per incident.

—agreed that the city will pay for half of the flu shot fees for full-time employees and city officials. Part-time employees, spouses and children will pay the full fee.

—approved a special events permit for the Phillips County Pheasants Forever on Nov. 9.

—set wages for Sergio Ramirez-Munoz at $13 an hour with a $1 an hour increase after obtaining his CDL.

—approved travel request for Police Sgt. Damon Ellis to attend National Incident-Based Reporting System in Westminister.

—approved the purchase of a new ballistic vest for Ellis from Neves at a cost of $800.

—waived permit fee for the Holyoke Housing Authority for the purpose of shingling three small apartment buildings and one small maintenance shop.